clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Israel and Arab leaders agreed to have electronic detectors at Al-Aqsa

July 20, 2017 at 5:44 pm

Palestinians gather in front of the new security metal detectors, outside one of the main entrances to the Al-Aqsa mosque, refusing to enter because of the detectors installed by Israel as the holy site re-opened for the first time on Sunday since a two-day closure following a deadly shootout in Jerusalem on 18 July, 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli Minister of Internal Front Gilad Erdan revealed on Tuesday that the electronic detectors were placed at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque after consultations made with Arab and Islamic countries, Safa news agency reported.

The minister said that Israel directly contacted some of these countries and conducted indirect contacts with others regarding the consultation about this issue.

Erdan did not name the countries with which Israel made contact, but his remarks coincided with media reports about Israeli-Saudi understandings regarding the Israeli measures and placing the electronic detectors, noting that Saudi understands Israel’s security concerns.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the Saudi King Salman had asked the US administration to put pressure on Israel in order to open the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israel army wants Netanyahu to ‘remove metal detectors from Al-Aqsa’

The newspaper pointed out that the US administration agreed and asked Israel to open the gates and accepted that it places the electronic detectors. Haaretz also reported that Jordan was briefed about these contacts.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to the Americans that his country would never change the status quo using the new security measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Israeli news website Wallah reported.

The website said that Netanyahu had invited the Saudi officials to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque to have a close look at the new security measures there, noting that the Saudis accepted the invitation, but gave no more details.

Regarding the new measures, Israel launched a media campaign promoting the importance of placing the electronic detectors, pointing out similar measures taken by Islamic countries in heavily visited holy sites.

It said that the new measures aimed at maintaining the safety and security of the Palestinian and Muslim measures.

Erdan stressed that the electronic detectors would not be removed unless the Israeli government decided to remove them.